Students from the Latinx Student Association held a poetry slam at the University of Rhode Island Multicultural Center on Tuesday, April 16, where readings of both original and published works were shared.
Inspiration behind the event stemmed from a poetry night hosted by Powerful Independent Notoriously Knowledgeable Women for women’s awareness, according to event organizer Ashanti Reyes.
The community aspect also played a role in the creation of the poetry slam, event organizer Joseph DeOlivera said.
“We held this event so everyone can share their favorite pieces and the power of them,” DeOlivera said.
The circle of seven sat around two tables in Hardge Forum, juxtaposed with the roomy and ample space that surrounded. Each poem was read at a small lectern in the center of the floor, and each ended with an eruption of clapping and cheerful support from the group. It was this emotion and energy from within the group that allowed the event to be low-stress and comfortable, LSA member Ley Laniscarias Flores said.
“I didn’t really feel that nervous because there were a lot of people there that I felt safe with,” Flores said.
Poems were read in a diverse spread of languages, including Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish and English.
The p oetry was primarily read out of the book “El Grupo Poético De Los Años,” a collection of Spanish poetry works from 10 poets. “El Grupo Poético De Los Años” was published in Madrid, Spain in 1978 and is one of the many poetry books the LSA office houses, Reyes said.
Reyes, a poet herself, has written a wide collection of poems through the years. At the event, Reyes read three of her original poems: “Successful,” “To Feel” and “Initials.”
“I feel like sometimes you can’t get across what you want to say just plainly talking,” Reyes said. “I feel like poetry takes that and puts it into a really creative art form, where a lot of people can relate.”
Within her craft, Reyes aims to find a way to create a message that can move everyone.
“I try to make my poetry broad enough so that when I present and perform in front of other people they can somehow be able to relate to the poem as well,” Reyes said.
Reyes started creatively writing in elementary school but didn’t dive into the art form of poetry until seventh grade, when she became introduced to programs within her school that eventually led her to poetry.
“I was able to be a part of their dance group as well as perform music and that made me figure out my outlet,” Reyes said. “Poetry is just like an outlet of creativity and being able to express yourself without being constrained to certain words or conversations.”
In addition to original works, the poetry slam allowed for participants to share poems by others as well. Flores read a Spanish poem that was already published.
“When you’re able to go out there and just speak your mind, even if it’s not something you necessarily wrote but you can relate to, I think that in itself is powerful,” Flores said.
Reading the poem allowed for connection both socially and culturally, according to Flores.
“Whene ver I get the opportunity to speak Spanish, whether it’s written or just talking to somebody, I take it,” Flores said.
LSA will be hosting a charity football tournament on Saturday at the recreation field to close off the year. All funding will go towards helping low-income Latino students pursue higher education, Reyes said.
To learn more about the group and upcoming events, visit their Instagram @uri.lsa .
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